CCNC

Opening of the Mike Dwyer Reserve


I acknowledge the Dharawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which we stand and pay my respects to elders, past and present.

Lord Mayor, Councillors, Comrades and friends of Mike Dwyer -

It is a great honour to be here today on behalf of the NSW Teachers Federation and take part in the official opening of the Mike Dwyer Reserve and the unveiling of the sculpture, "Comradeship".

I would like to convey apologies from the Federation's Deputy President, Angelo Gavrielatos who would have liked to attend today but is involved on Federation business.

I would also like to acknowledge Peter Wilson and Eric Alexander whose words about Mike I have drawn upon for this address.

For I only had the opportunity to know Mike for a short period of his life. Nevertheless, it was enough to recognise his profound influence on his friends and comrades, the fire of his belief that the majority should be defended from exploitation, and his leading role in the campaigns, policies and fibre of the Federation.

Mike Dwyer acted and lived the beliefs that we often hear in rhetoric, and less often see practised. Mike acted for the common good and he worked without self interest. As you all know so well, he worked tirelessly on industrial, community and environmental campaigns.

Mike is reported as a fine and well-loved teacher. Of that I have no doubt, there is such a strong overlap between our role as teachers and as unionists.

Mike became an activist within the Teachers Federation in the early 1970's. He was a Federation Representative and took a leading role on our Council of 320 members. He was a member of the State Executive and in the 1980's Mike was elected as Regional Organiser based in Wollongong.

He assisted hundreds of teachers and his commitment to public education went from students and teachers to the wider implications of system structure and government funding.

Mike's leadership was witnessed in all Federation campaigns fought in the eighties including primary release from face-to-face, ESL disputes and pay campaigns to the need for increased staffing.

I also remember Mike's strong role in research about, and advocacy for, comprehensive schooling. He believed that schools were at the heart of communities and he took a leading role in policy debate about this vital issue.

I know that Mike strongly advocated that the future of the trade union movement must include strong ties with community and environmental campaigns. He said that while the trade unions must influence government they should do so separate from, and at arms distance from, any political party.

Those beliefs have guided the Federation and do so today.

Mike's commitment to the trade union movement was apparent through his life. He was the President of the South Coast Labour Council from 1992 to 2000. During this time he united the community around many issues, not least of which was saving Coledale Hospital which we see before us today.

Mike was a distinguished activist and member of the Teachers Federation. I honour his commitment to public education, the Federation and his comrades in the Illawarra. The trade union movement as a whole is indebted to him.


Maree O'Halloran
President